abstain from

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abjure v.
dispense with v.
do without v.
renounce v.
resist v.

VERB

abjure

Synonyms

STRONG

forswear recant renege renounce retract withdraw

WEAK

take back

Antonyms

STRONG

allow emphasize

VERB

dispense with

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abolish dispose of disregard do without forgo get rid of ignore relinquish waive

WEAK

brush aside cancel give up pass over render needless shake off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue hold keep note pay attention regard

WEAK

accept retain take use

VERB

do without

Synonyms

STRONGEST

endure forgo

WEAK

dispense give up

VERB

renounce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deny disavow discard disown eschew forgo forsake forswear give up quit recant relinquish repudiate spurn waive

STRONG

abdicate abjure abnegate arrogate decline defect desert disclaim dump rat resign tergiversate turn

WEAK

apostacize cast off demit divorce oneself from drop out leave flat leave off opt out sell out swear off take the pledge tergiverse throw off throw over toss over walk out on wash hands of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acknowledge admit agree allow approve claim continue embrace keep revert

STRONG

accept hold maintain

WEAK

condone

VERB

resist

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abide combat confront continue curb defy endure forgo maintain prevent refuse repel thwart turn down

STRONG

antagonize assail assault battle bear brook buck check contend counteract countervail dispute duel forbear hinder hold persevere persist refrain remain stay stonewall suffer traverse weather

WEAK

die hard fight back hold off hold out against keep from leave alone put up a fight remain firm stand up to struggle against

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK accept aid allow assist discontinue encourage help stop surrender

STRONG

abandon advance agree cease desert give in give up go indulge leave permit quit refuse reject

WEAK

comply conform go along

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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abstain from

Such “orphaned” voters — those left without a candidate of their party in a general election — are historically just as likely to abstain from voting or to vote based on far less strategic considerations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández issued a statement calling on Catholics around the world to abstain from attending Mass with the group.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

Basoo said there had been no change to its "core position that Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from blood".

From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2026

It was to protect worshippers that Israel had asked people of all faiths to "temporarily abstain" from worshipping at all the holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City, he added.

From Barron's ● Mar. 29, 2026

Though I follow the rules and routines of convent life, Angelina will not allow me to abstain from meat, as the sisters do.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

abstain from

Example Sentences

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